Fuel-feed system



A ril 23,1929. PERSONS 1,710,004

FUEL FEED SYSTEM Filed May 26, 1925 2 Sheets-*Sheet l I "2228612101 ZAW FE/Vaf fi a/m April 23, 1 M PERSONS 1,710,004

FUEL PEI-D SYSTBI Filed May 26, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ewe/liar.

Patented Apr. 23, 192a LAWRENCE PATENT OFFICE M. PERSONS, OF C HICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO COOK ELECTRIC COH- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FUEL-FEED SYSTEM.

Application filed ma as, 1923. Serial No. 641,669.

fuel is made available regardless of low speeds, high torque, or other unfavorable and varying running conditions of the vehicle.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved fuel feed system for motor vehicles, which may be operated independently of mechanical Connections to the vehicle engine.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of an improved pumping mechanism for a system of the above indicated character, which mechanism is designed to prevent all possibility of leakage of the fuel. To this end I have designed a suitable form of diaphragm pump, by the use of which the usual sliding istons and packing rings are avoided. A further particular object of this invention is to adapt the ordinary forms of inexpensive and efficient rotary motors to the operation of these diaphragm pumps.

A still further object. of the invention is to provide a novel float operated switch for controlling the operation of an electric motor driven fuel pump in the system comprising this invention, such switch being adapted to have its contacting parts immersed in the fuel at all times during their operation in order to quench any arcing that may occur at the contacts. With this disposition of the contacting parts, the possibility of unintended ignition of the'fuel is-eliminated.

Another particular aim of my invention is to provide an electric motor driven diaphragm fuel pum which. will be simple t0 manufacture and install and which will possess great durability even when subjected to adverse operating conditions. Another object of the particular structure here shown which embodies my invention is tofprovide a system, the parts of which may be easily and quickly disassembled for inspection, a justment or repair.v

To these and other ends the invention comprises'certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, it being understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the intended scope'of the appended claims.

In the present application I have shown one embodiment of my invention in which- Figure 1 is a sectional 'elevation view through an'auxiliary tank and accompanying parts as embodied in the system;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken upon line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a modified type of device wherein an enclosed float operated switch within the auxiliary fuel tank is used; and,

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical connections applicable to the device shown in Fig.1. I

In a general way the device shown in the drawings includes an auxiliary fuel tank 10 at the upper end of which an electric motor operated diaphragm pump 11 is mounted. Fuel may be drawn to the pump 11 from the main fuel supply tank' through an inlet check valve 12. Through an outlet check valve 13 fuel may pass from the pump into the tank 10. An electric pump motor 14 may be mounted above the pump 11 on the tank 10. The fuel may pass through the outlet 15 at the bottom of the tank to the earbureter of the motor vehicle engine;

.As indicated in Fig. 5, the electrical circuit of the device may include a battery 16 in series with the motor 14 and with a float operated switch 17. The return side of the circuit from the'switch 17 to the battery 16 may be grounded, if desired. The switc 17 isso connected that when afloat 18 is raised to its'extreme upward position by floating upon the fuel when the tank 10 becomes' circuit 20, which is designed to permit drainage of the tank througha central plug opening 21.

i The outlet to the carbureter mayalso be formed in the base 20.

' The pump 11, valves 12 and 13, and the electric motor 14 may be mounted as a unitary assembly upon a cover plate 22. The

cylinder 23 of the pump 11 may be formed corresponding flange 25'formed at the upper fixed to 'the cover plate 22 which may be ably edge of the tank 10.

A piston 26 of the pump 11 may prefere of a flexible diaphragm type which may embody ,a longitudinally flexible cyli'nder 27. The lower end of the cylinder 27 may be closed by a disc 28 soldered or otherwise sealed thereto'while the upper end will be covered by the plate 22. An annular ring 29 may be sealed to the upper periphery of the cylinder 27 and ill there rest upon the flange 24 of the cy inder 23 and beneath the periphery of the plate 22. As illustrated, suitable gaskets may be inserted between the plate 22, annular ring 29 and flange 24.

The valve 12 ma comprise a bodyportion 30 formed wit an inlet port as indicated at 31 and an outlet port at 32, both of which communicate with a valve chamber 33 which may be covered by a screw cap 34. The valve member proper may comprise a flat disc 35 positioned over the inlet port 31 by pins 36 and 37, as shown in Fig. 3. As aresult of its own weight, the valve member normally assumes its closed position, but may be easily raised by the inflowing liquid when the pump is actuated. As appears from Fig. 1, the valve member 35 is made easily accessible by merely removing the screw cap 34. According y, if it is desired to inspect or replace this member, it will be unnecessary to disassemble any of the other parts of the device. The body portion 30 may besoldered or otherwise provided with an opening 37 registering with the outlet port 32 thus permittingthe fuel to enter the cylinder-23 at .a point .to one side of the piston 26.

The outlet valve 13' may be constructed in a manner very similar to the inlet valve 12 with the exception that its inlet and outlet ports will be reversed in position. An

inlet port 38 covered by a. valve member 39 communicates with the space within the cylinder23 and external to the piston 26. A valve chamber 46 is connected to the auxiliary tank through an outlet port41 which registers with suitable openings, as shown through the cover member 22 and the various peripheral flanges and gaskets above deserlbed.

The means for actuatin the piston 26 will now be described. T e small rotary electric motor 14 may be mounted upon the The bearings 45 and 46 may be mounted upon the cover plate22 in any suitable manner. The disc 28 at the inner end of the piston maybe provided at its center with a plug member 47, within which a connecting rod 48 may be rigidly fixed, the outer end of the connecting rod being pivoted to the crank 44. The plug member 47 may be sealed in the disc 26 by swa'ging or soldering at 49 and is preferably provided with a central chamber 50 for receiving a guide pin 51, which in turn is riveted to the cylinder head at 52. An, annular flexible ring 53 as of rubber, may be fixed at the mouth of the chamber 50' in a manner to embrace the pin 51 and thereby serve to yieldably guide the inner end of the piston in relation to the pin 51 andthe cylinder walls.

It will be noted that provision is thereby made for a limited transverse movement of the piston as well as free longitudinal movement thereof.

The piston walls being longitudinally and transversely flexible, it is unnecessary to provide a pivoted connection between the plug member 47 and the rod 48. Accordingly, with each turn of the crank 44, the piston will be longitudinally reciprocated and at the same time will be slightly transversely warped from side to side. transverse movement of the piston thus does away with the necessity of an additional pivoted connection and accordingly renders the structure more durable and inexpensive to. manufacture and maintain.

The auxiliary tank 10 may be provided with a vent 53 in the form of a goose-neck tube, which permits theliquid level to become altered without varying the air pressure in the tank. The goose-neck form of tube serves to prevent the admission of dirt or foreign matter through the vent opening.

The float operated switch'will now be de-- scribed. A support bar 54 extending down into the tank 10 may be fixed to the lower portionof the c linder 23. A pair of lugs 55 and 56 may e formed at the lower end ot the support bar 54 and serve to support -a pair of cooperating yoke members 57 and Such ing to lu'gs 62,,formed upon the yoke member. The yoke member 5 may be limited in its downward swinging movement by a stop pin 63 fixed in the lug 55 and in its upward movement by a cushioning button 64 mounted upon the float 18 and contacting with the to h ld the yoke members inclined. either in a d vnwardly biased position, or in an upwardly biased position, and While 'in the downward position the contact 66 will be grounded upon the oke 58 thus completing a circuit through tie motor 14. However, when the tank 10 becomes filled to a predetermi ned level, the float 18 will raise the yoke members into the upwardly biased position, thus abruptly breaking the circuit through the c0ntact'66 and stopping the motor. v

In the construction as above described, it will be noted that all of the working parts of the device, including the float o erated switch, pump, motor and valves may e conveniently removed from the tank 10 in connection with the cover plate 22. Consequently, any adjustments and repairs that may be necessary may be very quickly accomplished. The cover plate 22 may be fastened upon the tank 10 in any suitable manner, as by screws at 69.

In the operation of the device, a Switch 70 may be inserted in series with the circuit of the motor 14 and may be mechanically or out into the tank 10 through the :valve 13, I

i to the motor? A supply 0 otherwise associated with a switch 71 placed in the ignition circuit of the motor vehicle. Accordingly, when the ignition is thrown on preparatory to-starting the vehicle, the fuel pumping motor will also be plaoed'in the circuit and cause the piston 26 to be agtuated. It willbe evident that a fuel feed 1 s stem may thus be provided by the above eseribed structure, which will .be in readiness for actuation at all times when the vehicle is to be operated. lVith each upward movement of the piston 26, a uantityof fuel will be drawn into the cylin er through the valve 12 and with each downward movementof the iston, the valve 12 will serve as a check va ve and the fuel will be forced which in turn willalso act either as an air or liquid check level valve during the u ward movement of the piston. Afte'r t e ignition switch has been turned on, the motor 14. will coritinue' to pump fuel into the 'tank 10 until the float 18 o ens the circuit f fuel will thus "be maintained in the tank 10 'anda liquid head varying only within narrow limits'will bureter by the action of the float operated switch.

2' I In the modification shown in Fig. 4, an enclosure 72 may be provided on the under side of the cylinder 23 for housing a switch operated by a float 73. mounted upon a vertical guide rod 7&1, extending throu 'h a guide bracket 74 fixed to the base 0 the tanklO. A switch operating crank 76 extending to the-outsideof the enclosure 72 may be pivoted to a rod 77 fixedupon the float 73. Electrical connections may be made to the'e nclosed switch by means of a lead-wire 78. With this structure, the switch maybe kept out of the fuel and at the same time be enclosed-in order to prevent unintended ignition or explosion of the fuel. design, the switch and float are here removable with the cylinder 23 since the rod 7 4 may easily slide out of the guide bracket 75. It may be advantageous to use the en closed switch modification under certain circumstances, as for example where a par- The float may be As' in the previously described" ticular fuel is used which would interfere with proper electrical contacting at the switch if thecontacts were immersed in such fuel.

Having thus described by invention, what 'I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States, is: 1. A pump com rising a cyiinder membe having an open on and an extensible and contractible pumping element nested therein adjacent to said open end, the peripheral -wall 1f edges of said pumping element being sealed to the edges of said cylinder membe'rat said open end to form a closed pumping chamber having the usual inlet and outlet, a tank enclosing said pumping element and said cylin der and receiving the fluid umped by said pumping element, a cover or said tank, a

motor Zfor ilriving said pumping element,

and a driving connection extending through sald cover and connectmg said motor'to said .pumping element.

2. A pumpingunit comprising the combinationwitha tank for receiving the fluid pumped, of a pumping element and a cyliner arranged in nested relation at and within one end of the tank, a motor mounted on said tank at'said end, and a driving connection extending from said motor for driving said pumping element.

3. A p'um ing unit comprising the com- .bination wit a tank havm an open end and adapted to receive the uid pumped, a pumping element,- a cylinder enclosing said pumping element, said pumping element and said cylinder be'in within said open en d, a motor for driving said pumpingelement on said cover,and a driving connection extending through said cover and into said into said tank 120 nested in said tanka cover for said tank,"-

tank to connect said motor with said pumping element.

4. Ina fluid supply system, a tank, a removable cover thereon, a pumping device of the diaphragm type for supplying fluid to said tank mounted upon said cover within said tank, a rotary motor mounted upon said cover externally of said tank and operatively connected to said device, and a float operated switch for controlling said apparatus within said tank.

5. In a fluid supply system, a tank, a removable cover thereon, electrically operated pumping apparatus mounted upon said cover for supplying fluid to said tank, and a float operated switch for controlling said apparatus mounted within the tank upon Si1l apparatus.

(3. In a fluid supply system, a tank, a removable cover thereon, electrically operated pumping apparatus mounted upon said cover for supplying fluid to said tank, and -a float operated switch mounted upon said cover within the tank, said switch serving to open the circuit of said electrical pumping apparatus when the fluid reaches a predetermined level, and said switch being submerged when' the fluid rises to said predetermined level.

7. A pumping unit comprising a pumping element, a cylinder member enclosing said pumping element, a tank in which said cylinder member and pumping element are nested at one end for receiving the fluid pumped by said pumping element, a motor for driving said pumping element, a plate to which said tank, said cylinder member and said pumping element are attached, said plate serving as a mounting for said motor, and a driving connection extending through said plate to connect said motor to said pumping element. r

8. In a fluid supply system, a tank having an open end formed with a flange, a pump cylinder member insertable in said open end said cylinder member also having an open end formed with a flange for surmounting said first named flange, and a longitudinally flexible piston member insertable in said open ended cylinder member and adapted to deliver the fluid pumped into said tank, saidpiston member being provided with a flanged outer edge for surmountingsaid cylinder flange.

9. In a fluid supply system, a tank having an open end formed with a flange, apump cylinder member insertable in said open end, said cylinder member also having an open end formed with a flange for surmounting said first named flange, a longitudinally flexible piston member insertable in said open ended cylinder. member, said piston member being provided with a flanged outer edge for, surmounting said cylinder flange, a cover for said tank surmounting said piston member,

and valves mounted upon said cover for the admission of fluid into said cylinder member and-escape of fluid from said cylinder member into said tank.

10. In a. fluid supply system, a tank, an electrically operated pumping device for supplying combustible fluid to said tank, and a float operated submerged switch Within said tank "for controlling the operation of said pumping device.

11. In a fluid supply system, a tank, an electrically operated pumping device for supplying fluid to said tank, and a float operated submerged snap switch within said tank for controlling the operation of said pumping device, said switch being removable from the tank as a unitary assembly.

12. A fuel feed pump comprising a tank for receiving the fuel pumped and an outlet associated therewith, a cylinder at one end of said tank, said cylinder having a flange thereon for closing said end of the tank, a cover for closing said cylinder, :1 flexible walled piston in said cylinder, said piston being secured in position between said cylinder-and said cover to form a closed pumping chamber having the usual inlet and outlet, actuating means carried upon said cover for operating said piston, and a mechanical connection extending through said cover for operably connecting said actuating means and said piston.

13. A fuel feed pump comprising a tank for receiving the fuel pumped and an outlet associated thercwith, a pump cylinder nested within the upper end of said tank, said cylinder having an open upper end, a flexible walled piston operating solely Within said cylinder and closing said open end of said cylinder to form a closed pumping chamber having the usual inlet and outlet, a cover for said piston, power driven means supported by said cover, and an operable connection passing through an opening in said cover and connecting said piston to said power driven means.

14. A fuel feed pump comprising a tank and an outlet associated therewith, a pump cylinder nested within the upper end of said tank, said cylinder having an open upper end, a flexible walled piston operating solely with in said cylinder and closing said open end ofsaid cylinder to form. a closed pumping chamber, a cover for said piston, power driven means supported by said cover, an op erable connection passing through an opening in said cover and connecting said piston to saidpowcr driven means, and valve units also supported by said cover so as to be accessible without removing said cover or any of the associated parts, said units having passagesfitherein to provide connnunicat-ion between said chamber and said tank and also between a source of fuel supply and said chamber.

15. A fuel feed pum'p comprising a tank for feeding); fuel by gravity from an outlet associated therewith, a pump cylinder supported. zit-the upper end of said tank for feeding l'uel tlicrcinlo from a suction chainbcr formed within said cylinder and having the usual inlet and outlet, a flexible Walled piston extending into and operable Within 'said cylinder, said piston having its pe riphery so connected substantially at one end of said cylinder as to producea suction in said chamber when said piston is flexed, electrically operated actuating means for said piston, means for supporting said actuating means, said supporting means being arranged to enclose said cylinder and said piston within said tank preferably at one end thereof, and a mechanical connection extending from said actuating means into said piston and connecting therewith to operate said piston. Y

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my'name.

LAWRENCE M. PERSONS. 

